Why did UK charities sever ties with Sarah Ferguson?

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UK Charities Sever Ties with Sarah Ferguson Following Revelation of Email to Jeffrey Epstein

Numerous United Kingdom charities have ended their associations with Sarah Ferguson after a newly surfaced email revealed her describing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a "supreme friend" and seeking his forgiveness. The 2011 message, obtained by The Mail on Sunday, saw Ferguson, also known as Fergie, refer to Epstein as a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend" and apologise for having previously disowned him. She explained in the email that she had been advised to give a critical interview about Epstein to safeguard her career as a children's author and philanthropist. This interview, given weeks prior to the email, included a vow to "never have anything to do with" Epstein again and labelled a £15,000 loan from him as a "gigantic error of judgement." Ferguson had previously stated the loan was to help her repay debts.
Charities Terminated Patronage Following Email Disclosure

At least six charities, including the British Heart Foundation, Julia’s House, the Children’s Literacy Charity, a food allergy foundation, Prevent Breast Cancer, and the Teenage Cancer Trust, confirmed they had terminated Ferguson's involvement. Julia’s House stated that it was deemed inappropriate for her to continue in her role as patron. Similarly, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation expressed being "disturbed" by the correspondence and concluded that her continued association would be inappropriate, despite her not having been actively involved for some years.
Ferguson's Past Statements Contradicted by New Email

Ferguson's earlier public statements, made after the 2011 interview, had distanced herself from Epstein and characterised the loan as a significant misjudgment. However, the 2011 email reveals a different sentiment, where she humbly apologised to Epstein for having "let him down." Ferguson, who married Prince Andrew in 1986 and divorced a decade later, had previously explained that Epstein provided the loan to assist with her financial debts.
Defence Cites Epstein's Threats as Context for Email

A spokesperson for Ferguson stated that the 2011 email was sent within the context of advice she received to "assuage Epstein and his threats." Reports have indicated that Epstein had been contemplating legal action, specifically a defamation lawsuit, against Ferguson concerning the critical interview she had given about him. Ferguson had become a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer only last year, following her own diagnosis with the disease in 2023.

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Why did UK charities sever ties with Sarah Ferguson?

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